Oh my, I’ve been neglecting the blog. Geez. Guess that’s what I get for putting a big project together with a bunch of co-writers. Yep. Co-ordinating a bunch of musicians is sometimes making me wonder: Really? This is your day job? Especially if I have to hound someone to do what they agreed to do. Which at this point it’s a good thing there’s a couple of writers that decided they wanted to do an extra track with me. That takes or rather fills the void of those who decided to drag their feet out of the mix. Unfortunately it also means I won’t ask any of them to work on something again. I guess the idea of getting their works into a situation where city lights are shining isn’t worth getting on a major network with their work. Oh well.

Speaking of City Lights I’m hopin you’re here on the Single of the Day page right now checking out Malynda Hale. I’m going through a backlog of material that has been sent my way. After sending about 20 requests to the ether bin I found Malynda’s song to be something that caught my ear. Right from the get go it’s the hook of the music grabbing me and pulling me right in. The song is there. It’s thumpin from a writing standpoint. Hooky piano, hooky bass, and a groovin drum loop. Malynda’s voice comes in and starts flowering over the top. I really like the chorus when it pops on. From that aspect it’s ready as can be.

There is one thing I’m sitting here thinking though – There is no dynamic between sections. Sure things come in and out of the mix. However, I’m missing an element of volume change. It’s a common issue with artists wanting to compete against the majors who are getting hot records that still have some dynamic to them. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m watching tons of episodes of a show all about mixing from and by the “big” name mixing engineers. For my own ability to mix for projects I do and for others, I’m really beginning to pay attention to little details.

For most people I think this won’t be an issue – no volume change. However, when the verse is already on 10 and the chorus is to pop in and bring the song further up, there’s no where else to go – especially when there is so much ear candy to latch on to. This doesn’t mean I don’t like the song. I really dig it. But it can be better with dynamics.

Maybe there comes a point where the artist runs out of money and can’t go any further with it. Maybe that’s the issue with these co-writers who are missing deadlines on the project I’m doing going to a major network. The unfortunate thing is, it’s a business and the music while important, often has to take a back seat when money is involved. That doesn’t stop me from paying attention to detail. As we learn and grow, the production and the music should be getting better. When we hit that awesome balance that’s when the City Light are shining on us. I do think Malynda has a great future. Keep an ear out for her!